Atsuka sighed and brushed back her long hair methodically. When her auburn hair was deemed sleek enough, Atsuka set her ornate brush back onto her lacquered dressing table. Slicking on a fresh coat of Giorgio Armani's Lip Maestro, she looked at the mirror and pursed her lips experimentally. A flawless picture of elegance stared back at her. Satisfied with her unruffled appearance, Atsuka slipped her phone into the simple Kate Spade cream purse that sat at her side. Just as she was about to leave, Lisé madeher presence known.
Tilting her head slightly as Lisé purred and twined around her stockinged legs, Atsuka cooed softly. "Now where have you been, Lisé? " Atsuka picked her Turkish Angora up gently, shifting Lisé weight so that she rested comfortably against Atsuka. Stroking Ambre gently, Atsuka dropped her head to nuzzle the top of Lisé's warm head, suddenly swamped by a panging sense of loneliness. Peering up from the curtain that her hair created, Atsuka pinned a stare at the aged butler who had entered her dressing room.
"Lady Atsuka, the Master would like to speak to you in his office. " Sebastian announced politely in impeccable French. Atsuka nodded, humming noncommittedly as she swung the leather purse over her shoulder and setting Lisé down in one graceful movement. "Alright then, lead me to him, if you would please. "
Atsuka sat in front of her Father, barely resisting the urge to nervously tug on the sleeves on the open-necked knit dress she wore at her Father's piercing gaze. Crossing her ankles, Atsuka shifted imperceptibly to the right and sipped the cup of earl grey demurely. "You wished to speak with me, Father? " Atsuka murmured gracefully, instantly switching to lilting Japanese at her father's presence. Tadashi Katsu nodded and flipped through the file in front of him quickly.
He eyed his daughter, who was bathed in the soft morning light. Though she looked as composed as how her Mother had taught her to be, Katsu could still see the nervous tension in her jaw. She really did have to work on the poker face. As Atsuka matured, it became evident that she had inherited the famous McLean genes, with pale skin and delicate bones. Just as he predicted, Atsuka had blossomed into an enchanting nymph. Just like Aurelia, Atsuka shone even brighter in front of a camera.
Paired with sultry eyes and a graceful gait, Katsu grew more and more worried about his only daughter's safety. He still hadn't forgotten that stormy night, where he had been drawn in by sobs and screams. He had come too close to losing his daughter. It isn't safe enough. He had noticed of the young butlers inappropriate glances, growing in indecency, and slowly nodded once more, as if cementing a decision he had made. "You are to go to Japan. "
Atsuka blinked slowly, barely hiding her shock and confusion. Swallowing roughly, Atsuka asked in a steady voice, the hitch in her sentence almost went unnoticed, if not for Katsu's sharp grey eyes. "To where-? " Answering the silent question that hung in the air, Katsu sighed heavily, taking of his glasses and setting them neatly on his sturdy desk. "It isn't safe here, 'Tsuka, I have rivals everywhere, and we are just not nearly as secure as I would like us to be. It's much safer if you go to Japan, where I know I have people who are capable enough to take care of you, besides, your Mother is there as well. " Though Atsuka had no recollection of what had transpired that night, Katsu did, and sometimes, he woke in cold sweat, his daughter's cries echoing in his ears.
Not for the first time, Atsuka noticed the shadows on her Father's face, highlighting the gauntness in his angular features. Worry creased the contours of Atsuka's face, automatically, she had reverted to how she used to call him when she was all but a toddler, with no expectations to weigh her down. "Papa, are you-" Katsu smiled tiredly. "I'm fine, my darling. Anyways, I've invested quite a bit in Rikkaidai, most heavily on their tennis team, so while you're there, check on them for me, would you? "Atsuka nodded briskly and accepted the file her father passed to her. "Here is the data of everyone you need to know. And I will be expecting a report every week." Atsuka finished her Father's sentence, and smile wryly at his look of surprise. "I'll inform Sebastian to prepare your departure. You can choose your accommodations on the jet. " Taking that as her dismissal, Atsuka nodded politely and stood up. "Yes, Papa. "
Atsuka left the stately office and strode smoothly to the foyer where a two maids were awaiting, one holding a stylish winter coat and the other cradling Lisé. Swinging the Hugo Boss Fur Parka over her shoulders, Atsuka gestured for the maid to hand her the keys for the sleek white Jaguar F Type she had received for her 18th birthday as a present from Mother. Her baby was already awaiting for her when she walked out of the family's sprawling estate. Atsuka slid in and reclined comfortably, sinking into the buttery soft seat with a sigh. Lisé lounged regally on the plush wine red leather seat, purring loudly. With a carefree laugh, Atsuka revved up the engines and sped out of the gates, rustling up leaves and crunching gravel as she went. She would never miss Canada, where she had music and Lisé to keep her company. No, she would miss her Father, who would never fail to miss dinner, no matter how hectic his schedule was. "Well, well…Japan, here I come~"
